Honda achieves No.2 spot in 2-wheeler business

KOLKATA: Honda motorcycle and scooter India private limited (HMSI), the only Honda in Indian 2 wheeler industry, has overtaken Bajaj Auto in both domestic and overseas sales in July to claim the second position.

HMSI had earlier overtaken Bajaj Auto in domestic sales. The monthly sales, declared on Thursday, put HMSI July numbers at 287, 177 units, its highest ever sales in its 13 years of Indian operations. Of these, 147,635 units were motorcycles and rest (139,542 units) scooters.

Company officials said the 35per cent growth in motorcycle sales had powered it ahead of scooter sales for the first time. HMSI had started its business in India with a scooter portfolio to tap the market that had virtually no major players and entered the fiercely competitive motorcycle market later.

Scooter sales grew by 8 per cent. Sources said demand for the 'Dream series' motorcycles had led to the sales surge, enabling HMSI to overtake Bajaj Auto in domestic as well as international market. HMSI domestic market share is 24per cent. Highlighting the company's performance in July 2013, YS Guleria, HMSI vice-president (sales and marketing), said, "Honda has created a new chapter in its Indian operations with three new records. In July 13, Honda have achieved highest ever sales, highest domestic market share of 24per cent and also became second largest player in domestic and export sales in two wheeler industry.

This is largely attributed to the overwhelming demand for Dream series and the increase in production with start of second production line at the third factory in Narsarpura, Karnataka."